The Moon will move into the shadow of the Earth Wednesday, setting the stage for the first total lunar eclipse in nearly two and a half years. The Four Rivers region should see a partial lunar eclipse.
NASA’s Scientific Visualization Studio reports western Kentucky, northwest Tennessee, and southern Illinois are in the line of visibility for the partial eclipse. Peak viewing times for some cities in the WKMS coverage area may be found below. Find peak viewing times for other cities here.
Paducah, KY: 5:39 a.m.
Murray, KY: 5:39 a.m.
Hopkinsville, KY: 5:35 a.m.
Owensboro, KY: 5:39 a.m.
Clarksville, TN: 5:36 a.m.
Carbondale, IL: 5:40 a.m.
Meteorologist and Educator with the children’s show “Hooked On Science” Jason Lindsey told WKMS a lunar eclipse is a unique event that involves the placement of the Moon, the Sun and the Earth.
“During a lunar eclipse, the Moon and the Sun are on exact opposite sides of Earth. Earth is in the middle and you have on each side the Moon and the Sun,” Lindsey said.
Unlike a solar eclipse, Lindsey said no extra precautions are needed to safely view a lunar eclipse.
“The Moon does get its light from the Sun, but by the time it reaches the Moon and bounces back up it’s not gonna hurt your eyes.”
Lindsey encouraged those wishing to view the eclipse to do so in a rural area away from city lights and smog.
“Make sure you don’t have any of those city lights ruining your view,” Lindsey said. “You want to go to the country and get that strong view of a rare occurrence.”
View NASA projections for visibility and eclipse coordinates here.
